DC 2-2 Newbuildings
February 9, 2010
NI Intermediate League
Draperstown’s first home game of 2010 saw a battling performance against a Newbuilding’s side sitting near the top of the league. Both teams will feel that they could have taken all three points and certainly there were chances to do so, but for the home side the biggest disappointment will be the fact that they appeared to be down to the bare bones in terms of squad numbers. With many players not available for one reason or another, John McKee was only able to call on the services of 11 players with another arriving later as substitute. The inability to bring on fresh players in the final quarter of the game was a significant factor in Celtic not seeing out the game while in a winning position.
It all started well for the visitors when they awarded a penalty in the 3rd minute when McKillion handled Buchanan’s cross with Gregory McIvor scoring from the spot. But Draperstown responded well and enjoyed a lot of possession but the final pass was too often a poor one and as a result Glenn in the Newbuildings’ goal was not severely tested in the opening half. A Haskins’ header did have the young keeper scrambling the ball away at the foot of his post while John Higgins blasted a good opportunity over the bar from the edge of the box. McKillion partially redeemed himself in the last minute of the half when a brilliant tackle prevented Casey from scoring.
The opening 30 minutes of the second half saw Draperstown launch wave after wave of attack on the Newbuilding’s goal. Certainly their quality of approach play was much better with Haskin’s causing all sorts of problem down the right flank. The equaliser came in the 51st minute when Gavin Bradley latched onto John Higgins’ pass, brushed aside the challenge of Blair and coolly lobbed the ball over the advancing Glenn.
Two minutes later and the same player saw his free kick flash past the post before Haskins saw his effort beat the keeper but also the far post. McGuigan then saw his effort scrambled off the line and Glenn did very well to block Bradley’s shot for a corner.
It appeared only a mater of time before Celtic took the lead which their attacking play deserved. It came on 65 minutes when Murray flicked on O’Connell’s long clearance to Bradley who in return crossed to the far post for Murray to power his header home. Bradley thought he had scored Celtic’s third on 71 minutes with a fierce free kick, but the referee quite rightly ruled it out as the kick had been given as an indirect free.
It was at this stage that several Celtic players began to tire and Newbuildings took advantage. An in swinging corner was allowed to travel across the edge of the 6 yard box to Buchanan who swept the ball home for the equaliser. It was the visitors who had the best chance of securing the win when on 88 minutes a great run by Gary McIvor set up Casey but was denied by O’Connell good save.
So the points were shared but not the result either side would have wanted, but more importantly for Draperstown was the knowledge that a full squad would certainly have resulted in a win and a rise up the league table. A more determined effort is therefore greatly needed.
Next First Team Fixture
V 
Tobermore Utd v Draperstown Celtic
Skills Development Centre
Folks this Saturday 04th September is the last day of the Football Development Centre for.Under 14 Registration
LadsAs we are now entering the Mid Ulster Youth League we have had to re - register you.The New Season
The sun shone, the pitch was in great condition and the team put in a very good performanc.Quick League Table
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